Clinical variables and platelet mao in schizophrenia.

Platelet MAO activity was estimated in 60 male drug free schizophrenics and 26 controls matched for age. The paranoid group had significantly lower enzyme activity than the non-paranoid group and controls. Patients with premorbid schizoid personality had significantly lower enzyme activity than patients with non-schizoid premorbid personality and controls. A significant negative correlation between platelet MAO activity and severity and duration of illness was observed. Family history of schizophrenia, presence of auditory hallucinations and type and age of onset of illness were not related to platelet MAO activity.